Booze brigade at beach
Cops swoop on revellers
It is the morning after another shellshock invasion by 6,000 teens at Troon beach.
Fights erupted under the sizzling sun and police officers had to rapidly clear the sands when rowdy revellers kicked off.
A police horse was pelted with a Buckfast bottle and ambulances rushed to the coast to deal with sozzled and injured teens.
Officers seized a mountain of booze but loads of youths were still plastered and lost control while music blared on Tuesday afternoon.
Ayrshire Chief Superindendent Paul Main said the trains could not cope with the large hordes arriving.
He said: “The transport infrastructure can’t cope with that amount of people. We had 20 officers standing on the platform at the train station but you couldn’t see them because of the thousands there. Having them all arrive and leave at the same time and stay for the whole day with too many drinking is a toxic mix. I am really pleased with the police response.”
Officers were ready to greet the Glasgow crowd as they arrived at the station. And reinforcements were brought in from East and North Ayrshire, roads and Glasgow.
Ten arrests were made and locals reported yobs urinating in gardens and hiding booze in people’s hedges.
About 100 towels were left behind after the chaotic scenes and cleaners filled at least 50 bin bags on Wednesday morning this week.
Joy Melville, of Friends of Troon Beaches, said: “It was unfortunate that they chose Troon. But we have the beach clean again. It was very bad in a small area. The police contained it. They left so many clothes and bottles.”
Thousands of youths had arranged to meet at the seaside town for a huge surprise party through social media.
Business woman Donna Read said the campaign had gone “viral.”
She said: “I think after today a police and community strategy needs to be in place . In Troon as soon as we see them coming in we notify 101 and get support . All licensed premises must have a policy to refuse to serve alcohol to those attending the beach party. In addittion police scotland need to work with all the train stations and transport police to try and avoid huge crowds like this again.”
Samanatha Feguson said someone nearly hit her with a bottle and her friend’s lip was burst with a punch. Craig Brown said: “Troon beach is a riot.”